5 Reasons You Should Be Watching Penny Dreadful
Fabio Kanagaratnam May 17, 2016 Television
One of my favorite series returned recently, and if you haven't yet, you should be watching it. One could say that TV has its fair share of horror, some of the most popular are The Walking Dead and American Horror Story. However, Penny Dreadful is a breath of fresh air which without falling into the usual tropes of horror can genuinely scare you. At the very least Penny Dreadful's quality makes it the best among all the others.
But let's talk about what makes this series great:
1. It's gorgeous.
Penny Dreadful is a stunner, one of the first things that struck me was the quality of the scenes, the sets, the clothing, even the city backgrounds and cinematography. Each scene is visually captivating, and I am happy to say that in Season 3 it's even more noticeable, with the series going to different places and environments. Adding to this are the brutal moments of horror, which with a blend of digital and practical effects deliver in spades.
2. One of the best casts on TV.
I love Mad Men, I love Game of Thrones, both, series with a brilliant cast that act the hell out of each scene (Sand Snakes are of course not included). Penny Dreadful is right up there fighting with these behemoths comfortably. Timothy Dalton, Eva Green (more on this lady later), Josh Hartnett, Harry Treadaway are our "heroes". Each of them is believable and shine throughout the series. I am specially surprised with Hartnett who is doing his best work of his career, the days of 40 days and 40 nights are long gone!
3. Complex characters.
The reason i have written heroes between quotation marks is the fact that these are not really heroes, but characters struggling with a dark past. Whether it's a daughter kidnapped by vampires, inner demons or playing god, each character has a darkness to it that is palpable and enthralling.
4. Eva Green.
Why this woman has not been nominated for any Emmy it's beyond me. Green is a powerhouse in Penny Dreadful, delivering a performance that is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her character is complex, and Green portrays it with such ability that it's impossible to take your eyes of the screen while she is in a scene.
5. Vampires, werewolves, witches, badass butlers and Frankenstein.
No it's not Vampire Diaries, that series is probably crying in a corner asking "why can't I be like Penny Dreadful". Okay, granted, both shows serve different audiences. Still, Penny Dreadful approaches these fantastic beings tastefully and manages to present a story that is complex and packs an emotional punch, while satisfying your more violent entertainment needs.
What are you waiting for? Go watch it!
The Affair – Season 1
Golden Globes 2017: List of Nominees
By Fabio Kanagaratnam December 13, 2016